Watch Your Words around Kids...

I know you've heard the phrase that children are like sponges. That is one of the truest statements ever. Children are highly intuitive and possess way more emotional intelligence than we give them credit for. My son is at the age that he asks a lot of questions and is naturally curious about different things in his world and my world too. With that being said, we as parents have to be careful with what we allow our children to be exposed to. With Youtube, their friends, and sometimes even their own family, a lot of things they hear and see are not appropriate.

I know I am guilty of letting a few curse words slip out around him. Sometimes due to anger, frustration, or just by naturally talking. I can admit, that I need to do a lot better with this. I am very self-aware, so I make an effort to not use inappropriate language around him. But, surprise! I am human and I make mistakes. The hilarious part is that when he repeats what I have said, he uses the words and phrases in the correct context, voice tone, and everything.

Kids can pick up on your body language, and especially your tone of voice. Carter knows when I am upset, or if I am not paying attention to what he's saying just by listening or watching me. He even picks up on my slang, the different phrases I use, and everything. He even has my sarcasm, which can be hilariously annoying.

My goal is to pour more sustainable and valuable knowledge into him more often. As cute as it can be, I really don't want him to be a miniature version of me. I don't want him to incorporate my bad habits as his own. Our children are also like blank canvases. We can use our wisdom and experiences to mold them into someone of substance, or we can inadvertently damage them. Parenting is constantly a work in progress. As long as I can be better than I was the day before, I think I am on track.